Standards for public schools of Georgia 1977 [1977]

.<.-aForPubicSchoolsof Georg

STATL BOAKI) O F I-1)UCATION hlay 1977
Roy A. I l e n d ~ i c k sC, hairman First District, Metter
Asbury Stembridge, Vice Chairman Eighth District, Macon
Kichal-d Neville, Vice Chairman, Appeals Ninth Distl-ict,Cum~ning
Jack P. Nix, Executive Secretary State Superintendent of Schools
Thomas K. Vann Jr. Second District, Thomasville
A. J . McClung Third District, Columbus
Ernest Whaley Fourth District. Clarkston
Mrs. Saralyn B. Oberdorfer Fifth District. Atlanta
Kenneth Kilpatrick Sixth District, Jonesboro
Janies S. Smith Seventh District, Cartersville
Mrs. Richard Iluseman Tenth D l s t ~ i c tA, thens

STANDARDS For Public Schools of Georgia
1977
ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1977
Division of Planning and Evaluation Office of Administrative Services Georgia Department of Education Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Jack P. Nix, State Superintendent o f Schools

FOREWORD
We are now beginning the second decade of Public School Standards in Georgia. As we cross this threshhold we are cognizant of the progress that the Standards have helped to effect. We believe that Standards can become an even more viable force for constructive change in the future than they have been in the past.
In order to give Standards an added impetus, we are beginning a total redesigning of Standards during the school year 1977-78. The new Standards will eniplzasize performance-based criteria as opposed to input criteria. Through a more precise measurement of educational outcomes, we will be able to determine more effectively the extent to which we are providing adequate educational opportunities to the citizens of Georgia.
The redesigning of Standards will be accomplished as a joint effort of Department of Education personnel, local educators. college personnel and lay citizens. Cooperatively we can accomplish results which are pln-sing and long lasting.
State superin&dent of Schools
STANDARDS COUNCIL FOR GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dr. H. Titus SingJetary Jr., Chairman Dr. Clyde C. Pearce, Ex-Officio Dr. S. Cal Adamson Gene Aiken C. T. Battle R. C. Beemon Dr. J. E. Bottoms Dr. Russell Clark Dr. Allan W. Gurley Dr. Joe Edwards Dr. Claude M. Ivie Dr. Ronald Luckie George W. Mulling Dr. Richard Ottinger

CONTENTS

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

The Standards Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Section I . School System Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Standard 1

Criteria Based Upon State Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Standard 2 . Criteria Based Upon State Board Policy . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Standard 3 . The Board of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Standard 4

The Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Standard 5

Specialized Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Standard 6 . Pupil Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Standard 7 . Fiscal Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Standard 8 . School Food Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Standard 9 . Services for Exceptional Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Standard 10 . Student Achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Section I1 Standards for Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Standard 11 . Criteria Based Upon State Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Standard 1 2 . Criteria Based Upon State Board Policy . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Standard 13 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Standard 14 . Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Standard 15 . Teaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Standard 1 6 . Resource Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Standard 17 School Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Standard 18 . Fiscal Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Standard 19 . Media Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Standard 2 0 . School Food Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Standard 2 1 Interscholastic Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Standard 22 . Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Minimum Plumbing Fixtures Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

THE STANDARDS INSTRUMENT ITS COMPOSITION AND USE
The format of the Standards instrument for 1977-78 is greatly changed from the 1976-77 Standards. During the 1977 year the publication contains only those items which were in the Required category last year except Standard 10 Student Achievement.
In responding to Standard 10 each system will simply write a one page (maximum) report explaining how it is using the results of state-administered criterion-referenced tests to improve instruction. The one page report should address the usage issue with three publics. The first public is the students, the second is the faculty and the third is the general public. A one paragraph statement on usage of the test results with each public will satisfy the requirements of Standard 10.
The one page summary report for Standard 10 will be submitted in triplicate to the Director, Regional Educational Services at the time all the Required Standal-ds criteria are applied by the Regional Director. The Regional Director will forward the original and one copy of the one page summary along with the Standards answer sheet to the Section Administrator for School Standards. The Standards Administrator will furnish an information copy of the report t o the Office of Instructional Services.
The one page summary report is subject to the same inquiry and documentation procedures as has been customary for all Standards criteria during the existence of the Standards program. The Standards Administrator or the Director, Regional Educational Services has the right of inquiry about the response to any criterion and may require documentation as appropriate.
The reason for the change in format this year is that we are beginning a major redesign of Standards during 1977-78. Department staff members as well as local educators are expected to be involved in the redesign efforts.

SECTION I SCHOOL SYSTEM %STANDARDS

CRITERIA BASED UPON STATE LAW

Standard 1

LR -1. All official nieetings of the board of education are open to the

public.
IdR-2 . The local system board of education functions through the

superintendent as executive secretary in accordance with the

requirements of law.

L

R 3 . The superintendent has the responsibility for administering

and enforcing the policies, rules and regulations of the board of

education.

L

R 4. All professional personnel are under written contract with the

board. [A continuing contract is considered to be a written

contract.]

LR -5. Provision is made for local financial support to provide the

required local effort as a minimum.

LR-

6. Budgetary practices conform to all requirements of state law.

LR -7. The length of the school year for students is at least 180 days.

[Systems which have state approved 12 months programs are

considered as having met this criterion.]
LR -8. The length of the school year for teachers is at least 190 days.

including pre-planning and post-planning days. [Systems which have

state approved 12 months programs are considered as having met

this criterion.]

LR-9.

All teachers are paid on the basis of a minimum salary

schedule designed for all teachers employed in the system. [In n o

case shall this be less than the State Salary Schedule.]

L

R 1 0 . All principals are bonded as prescribed by law in an amount

sufficient t o provide adequate protection for all funds collected in

the school.
LR -1I . The system of record keeping conforms to and is compatible

with the system provided by the Georgia Department of Education.

L

R 12. T h e system has an active Local Professional Advisory

Committee for Exceptional Children, in accordance with the policies

of the Georgia Department of Education.
LR -1 3 . All professional personnel employed for systemwide service

hold a valid Georgia certificate.

LR -14. The superintendent is bonded as required by law.

LR -15. All t e a c h e r s , principals, other certificated professional

personnel and all other school personnel are employed by the board

of education upon recommendation of the superintendent.

Standard 1 Criteria.Based Upon State Law

State Law Systeni Required Items

Total K's - 15 Required R's - 15

CRITERIA BASED UPON STATE BOARD POLICY

Standard 3

BR-

16. The systenl board of education. undel- the leadel-ship of the

supel-intendent and his staff. develops written policies for the school

system. The policies include (but are not ~ ~ n i i t etdo) statements

related to

( 1 ) administration ( 2 ) professional ethics (3) program of education (4) fiscal matters (5) school plants and grounds (6) school food services (7) transportation (8) student activities (9) s e l e c t i o n , procurement and utilization of instructional materials and equipment (10) personnel policies (including sick and personal leave for teachers and bus drivers) (1 1) pupil policies (including attendance of married and/or pregnant pupils, expulsion or suspension of pupils and discipline of pupils)

[Exception: Systems which do not provide transportation are not

required to have policies on transportation.]

B

R 17. There is a written School Disaskr Plan for each school in the

system. This plan provides periodic drills for emergencies arising

from natural or manmade disasters. Each school in the system has a

copy of its plan.

BR-

18. Buses a r e purchased under competitive bidding using

procedures and specifications prescribed by the State Board of

Education.*

BR --_ 19. The system complies with the State Board policy on maximum

bus loads.*

- BR

20. All bus drivers have annual physical examinations."

- BR

21. All bus drivers are retired from service at age 65, in accordance

with State Board policy.*

B

R 22. The system office implements, within a year from date of

issuance, sanitation and safety recommendations made by the

Georgia Department of Public Health in the inspection of individual

schools.
BR -23 The systeni boa.d of education implements minimum wage

requirements and conditions of the Fail- Labor Standards Act as

related to school employees cove!-ed by this act.
BR -24. As a lninimunl teachers under Code Section 32-610a are

assigned t o each school in conformity with state law. [ A more

favorable ratio is encoul-aged.]

BR

25. All auxiliary personnel (teacher aides and paraprofessionals)

are members of the teacher retirement system program.

B

R 26. Financial records maintained by each principal are audited

annually as a minimum. [This audit must be for the yea]- ending

June 30, and must show beginning and ending cash balances and a

summary of cash receipts-cash disbursements. The audit may be

made by any competent bookkeeper who is not a staff lnetnber of

the school being audited. Copies of the audit are available in the

superintendent's and principal's office for inspection by pel-sonnel of

the Georgia Department of Education or the central staff of the

school system.]

Standard 2 Criteria Based Upon State Board Policy

Board Policies-Systems Total R's - 1 1

Required Items

Required R's - 1 1*

*Systems using privately owned buses need only answer 10 R's, and systems which d o not have a transportation program need only answer 7 R's affirmatively. (BR-18, BK-19, BR-20 and BR-21 should be answered N/A by systems which d o not have a transportation program.)

THE BOARD O F EDUCATION Standard 3

The board of education of a school district shall be composed of a representative group of local citizens, appointed or elected in keeping with the applicable provisions of law. The board of education is responsible for the management and control of the public schools in the school district.

RATIONALE The public schools of a state belong to the people of that state. The management and control of any public school system is vested by law in a board of education. It is incumbent upon the board of education, as representatives of the residents of the district to provide an educational program of high quality that meets the needs of the students; to adopt business like administrative practices which contribute to efficiency, economy and quality in the operation of the school system, and to adopt a sound plan of school organization.

CRITERIA
BR -27. A written statement of philosophy and purposes which takes

into consideration the elements of cultural, health, omupational and

recreational opportunities of the local community and state gives

direction to the educational program.

- BR

28. All board policies (including rules and regulations) are

compiled and recorded in a special handbook on policies. At the

time of employment, each employee is furnished a copy of the

personnel policies appropriate to his employment.

- BR

29. The Georgia Department of Education has conducted a

comprehensive study within the five-year period immediately

preceding the annual visitation for the application of standards.

Standard 3 Board of Education

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 3

THE SUPERINTENDENT Standard 4
The superintendent is selected as provided by law and is responsible for the successful functioning of the school system.

RATIONALE The board of education delegates executive and administrative functions to the superintendent, and he serves a$the executive officer of the board of education. The superintendent delegates responsibility; communicates effectively with community leaders and staff; analyzes with the assistance of the professional staff the needs of all students; develops a program t o meet those needs; develops and coordinates in-service education programs for staff growth and development, and utilizes all available resources for the improvement of the school program.

CRITERIA

B R 3 0 . As a minimum, the superintendent holds the five-year

professional, administrator's certificate. [Superintendents holding

office prior to the school year 1967-68 and w h o are still in office

may answer this criterion N/A if they d o not hold the five-year

professional certificate.]

B

R 31. The superintendent makes recommendations for action by the

board of education on all policy matters related t o the operation of

the schools.

B

R 32. The superintendent is paid on the basis of a salary schedule

which provides for a higher monthly and annual rate than for any

other member of the staff of the school system.

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

Standard 4

R

Superintendent

3*

*If BR-30 is answered "N/A," only two R's need be answered affirmatively.

SPECIALIZED SERVICES Standard 5
The school system provides those specialized supporting services which are vital to the most successful fulfillment of the administrativeand instructional goals of the school district.
RATIONALE The organization and administration of a school district is a complex undertaking. Increasingly, research and experience have shown that the individual needs of students are so diversified that the classroom teacher must have the assistance and support of many specialized services if the students' needs are met. Each school district must determine the kinds of administrative and instructional services needed.

CRITERIA

B

R 33. The system has written policies for the selection, procurement

and utilization of instructional media and equipment. These policies

include at least

( I ) statements about the relationship of instructional media and equipment to the educational goals of the system.

(2) procedures to insure that instructional media and equipment are selected on the basis of their potential contribution to the

attainment of the system's goals.

(3) procedures for procuring and maintaining adequate access to

instructional media and the technology necessary for its use, e.g.

print materials, ETV, films, filmstrips, audio cassettes, video

cassettes, slides, transparencies, tape players, T.V. receivers,

projectors, etc.

(4) i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f personnel who are responsible for

implementing the policies.
BR -34. There are written job descriptions which outline the duties and

w o r k i n g re1 ationships for all administrative and supervisory

positions.

B

R 35. The system has the services of either a visiting teacher or an

attendance officer.

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

Standard 5

R

Specialized Services

3

PUPIL TRANSPORTATION Standard 6

The transportation system shall be operated in compliance with requirements of

law and State Board policies, and shall be adequate for the needs of the pupil

population to be served.

~-

-

-

-

RATIONALE The transportation service has an important contribution to make to the success of the program of instruction. A properly administered program is basic to an effective and sound pattern of organization and will materially affect any plan of school consolidation.

CRITERIA
R -36. All applicable policies of the State Board of Education and the

Georgia Department of Public Safety are made a part of local system policies governing the transportation system.*

*Note: State and federal laws permit certain deviations from bus specifications (markings, etc.) in cases where county or city boards of education utilize municipal transit systems in the transportation of school children. It is recommended that such transportation have the written approval of the Georgia Department of Education for the purposes of Standards application and allocations.

Standard 6 Pupil Transportation

Minimum
Affirmative Responses R
1**

**BR-36 may be answered N/A if the system does not have a transportation program.

FISCAL POLICIES Standard 7

The school system board of education shall establish and maintain sound fiscal policies governing practices in the central office and in each local school.

RATIONALE Fiscal practices in the central office as well as in the local school should be such as to deserve the confidence of citizens of the district and to insure sound money management at all levels. [State law prohibits deficit financing.]

CRITERIA
BR -37. An inventory of all system owned supplies and equipment is

maintained.

B

R 38. The system's method of financial accounting has been

approved by the financial review section of the Georgia Department

of Education and the Georgia Department of Audits.

Standard 7 Fiscal Policies

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 2

SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE Standard 8
-
The school system shall have a school food service program which is nutritionally adequate, educationally effective and financially sound.

RATIONALE Sound nutrition contributes to the academic achievement and health of children. The system should therefore provide an effective food service program.

CRITERIA
BR -39. The system board of education controls the operation of the

school food service program.

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

Standard 8

R

School Food Service

1

SERVICES FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Standard 9
Each school system shall make provisions for the education of all exceptional children.
RATIONALE The educational needs of exceptional children differ t o such a degree and extent from those of most children that specialized instructional service must be provided. This group includes the mentally retarded (educable and trainable), the gifted, the behaviorally disordered, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, the speech and language impaired, those with special health problems which require hospital/home instruction, those with specific learning disabilities and the multi-handicapped. The services of specialized personnel are necessary to identify and assess the educational needs of exceptional children. As there are variations in the individual needs and abilities within any group of children, especially exceptional children, then it follows that programs planned, facilities provided, materials selected and procedures followed must be appropriate to their needs.
CRITERIA
BR -40. The system has a current comprehensive plan, approved by the
department of education, t o provide services to all exceptional children.

B

R 41. The system has the services of a director/coordinator for

exceptional children on at least part-time basis.

Minimum

Affirmative

Standard 9 Exceptional Children Services

Responses R 2

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Standard 10

RATIONALE A primary reason for the existence of schools is t o facilitate student learning toward goals specified b y society. As a minimum, society expects the school to facilitate student achievement of basic skills.

Standards for Georgia school systems should result in local educational personnel considering input factors that make for a successful school as well as the consequence of these factors in achieving desirable student learning. Recognizing the variability of schools, communities, students and resources, systems should not be judged to be standard solely on the basis of their relationship to a state average; but rather, alternative methods should exist by which systems could be judged on evidence of progress or evidence of awareness of a problem which includes an ongoing, planned procedure for making progress. The standard should serve to facilitate local leadership in identification of problems and in seeking and implementing solutions t o problems.

B

R 42. The system has implemented a plan for utilizing the results of

the criterion-referenced tests in the improvement of instruction.

Note: The system superintendent must furnish a one-page written

summary detailing how the results are used with pupils, faculty and

the general public for the improvement of instruction.

Standard 10 Student Achievement

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 1

SECTION 11 STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(SCHOOL SECTION)

C R I T E R I A B A S E D UPON S T A T E L A W

Standard 11

LR-

43. Buildings a n d / o r classrooms constructed since 1952

conformed to all state laws, met applicable standards of the State

Board of Education and plans were approved by the Georgia

Department of Education as required by'state law. N/A if no

buildings have been built since 1952.
LR -44. Permanent certificates of occupancy for all buildings have

been obtained from the office of the state fire marshal and are

displayed in the building for which issued. [It is suggested that

photostatic copies be made of the certificate so that extra copies are

immediately available in event of loss or destruction.]
LR -45. All principals maintain adequate records of all funds collected

and make a complete financial report to the superintendent at least

quarterly, accounting for all receipts and expenditures and giving a

complete property inventory. [Central accounting acceptable.]
LR -46. Every student in kindergarten through grade eight is enrolled

in health and physical education for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.

N/A if the school does not contain any of the grades one through

-eight.

LR

47. Every student and teacher participating in or visitor observing

certain courses of instruction as specified in H.B. 172 (Dean, 1974)

is provided and wears appropriate industrial quality eye protective

devices. N/A if the school does not teach lab courses which require

-protective eye devices.

LR

48. All professional personnel employed in this school hold a valid

Georgia certificate and all auxiliary personnel hold a valid license.

Standard 11 Criteria Based Upon State Law

Required Items

Total R's - 6
Required R's - 6

CRITERIA BASED UPON STATE BOARD POLICY

- Standard 12

BR

49. Vehicles utilized on public streets in the driver education

program are equipped with dual controls, proper identification signs

and a rear view mirror for the instructor. (Vehicles utilized

exclusively on driver ranges for driver education programs need not

have special equipment other than a radio tuned to the range control

tower frequency to enable the student to receive directions from the

-instructor.) N/A for schools which do not teach driver education.

BR

50. All teachers are teaching in their area of certification. Note:

See the teaching in field requirements in the State Policies and

Procedures Handbook.
BR -51. The number of sanitation and plumbing fixtures is within 2 0

percent of the minimum criteria of the State Board of Education.

See chart on page 23.

B

R 52. All school sponsored fund-raising activities are approved in

advance by the system board of education and conform to policies

of the State Board of Education. Games of chance and popularity

contests are prohibited by the State Board as fund-raising activities.
BR -53. All receipts are handled through the principal's office. [If

receipts are handled through the central office for the entire school

-system, the school will answer "yes" to this criterion.]

BR

54. School food services have been checked within the past 12

months by the health department, and the health department's

check list is displayed in the cafeteria.

BR-

55. The school teaches annually courses in the following subject

matter areas.

Elementary 1. Language Arts 2 . Mathematics 3. Science 4. Social Science 5. Health and Physical Education 6. Music 7. Art

Secondary 8. Language Arts 9. Mathematics 10. Science 11. Social Studies 12. Health 13. Music 14. Art

Secondary (continued) 15. Foreign Language 16. Home Economics 17. Chemistry*

18. Physics* 19. Biology 2 0 . Physical Education

*May be taught in alternate years rather than annually.

Note a. Art and music must be taught on a regular, continuing basis
and must be a scheduled and planned activity. b. In the elementary grades, each subject must be taught t o every
student on a regular basis. (Schools which contain any of the grades one through eight and which provide exploratory elective c o u r s e s f o r t h e i r students may waive this interpretation.) c. In the secondary grades each subject must be taught annually for unit credit in at least one class section. d. Junior high and secondary schools may combine their course offerings for all courses taught for Carnegie unit credit (grades nine-12). This would permit each school to answer this criterion affirmatively provided they jointly teach all the required courses.

B

R 56. Health education, as a discrete subject, is required of all

students in secondary schools. [Schools may meet this criterion by

requiring either one semester or two quarters in the eighth grade or

one quarter in grade eight and one quarter in any grade nine-12.1

N/A if the school does not contain grade eight or above.

B

R 57. Health education includes annual instruction in the potential

hazards of tobacco, alcohol and drug use, misuse and abuse. This

instruction must be given in grade five and in each subsequent grade

or it may be begun on a Iower grade level at the discretion of local

school officials. N/A if the school does not contain grade five or

above.

B

R 58. All driver education classes are taught by a professionally

certificated teacher who holds the driver education endorsement.

N/A if the school does not teach driver education.

Standard 12 Criteria Based Upon State Board Policy

Required Items

Total R's - 10
Required R's - lo*

*Schools answering BR-49, BR-56, BR-57 or BR-58 "N/An need only answer affirmatively either six, seven, eight or nine R's accordingly.

ORGANIZATION Standard 13
The school organization makes possible effective administration and supervision of a comprehensiveprogram of education.

CRITERIA

BR-

59. The length of the school day for students in grades one

through three is at least four and one-half hours, and in grades four

through 12 at least six hours, exclusive of recesses and lunch periods.

N/A if the State Board has given approval for double sessions.

BR-

60. During the regular school year, there are at least 150 hours

(net) of instruction for all subjects taught for full Carnegie unit, or

its equivalent, of credit. [Deviation may be made for instructional

innovations, such as team teaching, which require lengths of time

which are at variance with this criterion, but the time should be

equated with this minimum requirement.] N/A for all schools not

offering high school unit credit or schools having approved four

quarter plans.
BR -61. All school activities are under the direct and complete control

of the school administration.
BR -62. The school has a minimum of 12 classroom teachers in grades

nine-12 excluding the principal, counselor, librarian and other

supporting personnel. N/A for elementary schools.

B

R 63. The school has, as a minimum, six classroom teachers.

[Schools having more than six grades must have as many teachers as

there are grades in the school t o receive a "yes" answer.] N/A for

junior high and secondary schools.

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

Standard 13

R

Organization

5*

*All schools answering BR-59, BR-60, BR-62 or BR-63 "N/An need only answer affirmatively either one, two, three or four R's accordingly.

ADMINISTRATION (Qualifications and Duties of Principal) Standard 14
The school has a certificated principal appointed by the board of education upon nomination of the superintendent. The superintendent and board of education delegate the responsibility for the effective operation of the school to the principal, who is the administrativeand supervisory officer of the school.
RATIONALE The principal provides leadership for the development of the educational program; manages the school plant and the school's business operations; interprets the school to the community; maintains desirable public relations; and delegates responsibility as required.

CRITERIA
BR -64. As a minimum, the principal holds the five-year certificate in

school administration.

B

R 65. The principal is paid a salary which provides for a higher

monthly salary based on months worked, and at an annual rate

greater than any other member of the school staff.

BR -66. The principal supervises all phases of the school program.

[This includes the instructional program, guidance services, health

services and school food services.]

Standard 14 Administration

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 3

TEACHING STAFF (Qualifications and Assignments of Teachers) Standard 15

-

--

--

The school is staffed by certificated teachers capable of meeting the varied

educational needs of the students. Each teacher is appointed by the board of

education upon nomination by the superintendent. Each teacher is responsible

for a successful instructional program in his classrooom.

RATIONALE Quality in the instructional program is made possible by teachers who apply the principles of child growth and development and demonstrate creative approaches to teaching; stimulate interest in learning; have a knowledge of teaching materials and show versatility in their use; and havs interest in and respect for children.

CRITERIA
BR -67. Teachers are paid only by the board of education for services
rendered on behalf of the school system.

Standard 15 Teaching Staff

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 1

RESOURCE STAFF (Availability and Use Of) Standard 16

Systemwide administrative and instructional supporting services are available to and used by the school.

RATIONALE To provide the most effective educational program, the school teaching and administrative staff must have the support of administrative and instructional services.

CRITERIA
BR -68. The school has a full-time, certificated guidance counselor.

Note: When BR-257 is answered "no," then E-262 must be answered

"no." N/A for elementary schools.
BR -69. An organized testing program, which has been approved by the

Georgia Department of Education, is provided.

Minimum

Affirmative

Standard 16

Responses R

Resource Staff

Elementary schools 1

All other schools

2'

SCHOOL PLANT (Equipment, Facilities, Operation and Site) Standard 17

The school plant is adequate for the program offered and the enrollment housed. It has the necessary classrooms, laboratories, library facilities, space for physical education and food service facilities, and the site is landscaped t o enhance aesthetic values.

RATIONALE For a school program to function with maximum effectiveness, the physical plant in which it is housed should be planned t o meet the special needs of the program and designed to meet the minimum standards required by the State Board of Education. The school plant provides physical facilities t o support the total educational program and provide for the health, comfort and safety of children and staff.

CRITERIA

BR-

70. Each school building has been inspected since Sept. 1 , 1974,

and given a rating of 75 or above in both maintenance and operation

by the office of School Plant Services, Georgia Department of

Education.

B

R 71. Proper operation of all instructional equipment is maintained.

[The evaluator may use judgment as to the application of the word

"all."]

B

R 72. Proper operation of all sanitation and plumbing fixtures is

maintained. [The evaluator may use judgment as to the application

of the word "all."]

BR -73. The school maintains clean and attractive halls, classrooms,

restrooms and grounds.

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

Standard 17

R

School Plant

4

FISCAL POLICIES Standard 18

Each school employs sound fiscal practices in accordance with law and policies of the state and local boards of education.

RATIONALE Good school administration, as well as provisions of state law and policies of the State Board of Education, dictates that fiscal practices insure sound money management. (Good school business administration is necessary in all phases of the school program.)

CRITERIA
BR -74. The principal has supervision of all fund-raising activities in the

school.

BR

75. School personnel responsible for fund collection, disbursement

and accountability are furnished written instructions for financial

accounting.

Standard 18 Fiscal Policies

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 2

MEDIA CENTER Standard 19

The school shall have a media center containing the quality, quantity and variety of print and non-print material t o support the curricular offerings and t o challenge individual pupils a t their level of development.

RATIONALE The school media center is one of the basic requirements for quality education. The extent t o which it provides for the research and enrichment needs of all pupils and classes helps t o determine the degree of excellence achieved by the total school program.

CRITERIA

B

R 76. The school has a media center which is used throughout the

day for media purposes.
BR -77. The school media center meets the space, size, shape and

equipment specifications which were a part of the state plan

requirements during the time when the school was constructed. In

cases where the media center is inadequate in size or configuration as

noted by Georgia Department of Education Comprehensive Survey

T e a m s o r because o f the outdatedness of the applicable

specifications, expansion of the media center must be a top priority

for the use of new capital improvement funds.

BR -78. The media center operates on an open concept of service. BR -79. The school has a full-time certificated library media specialist.

(Elementary schools with fewer than 400 students may answer

affirmatively if they have a certificated library media specialist on at

least one-half time basis.)
BR -80. All school-owned print and non-print media, except basic

textbooks, are organized and made available for use through the

media center to individuals and to classrooms for varied lengths of

time.

BR -81. The collection of print and non-print media is evaluated each

year by the media staff and classroom teachers, and materials no

longer useful are discarded. (This evaluation is in terms of such

qualities as the appropriateness of the content for each area of the

curriculum, suitability of materials to varying abilities of the pupils,

accurate and up-to-date information and the physical condition of

the materials.)

B

R 82. Materials purchased are selected and acquired according to

State Board Policy.

Standard 19 Media Center

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 7

SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE Standard 20

The school shall have a food service program that meets school day nutritional needs of pupils.

RATIONALE Sound nutrition contributes to the academic achievement and health of children. The school should, therefore, provide an effective food service program. The program should help pupils establish desirable food habits.

CRITERIA
BR -83. The school has on file a medical report for each school food
service employee.

Standard 20 School Food Service

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 1

INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES Standard 2 1
School activities of an interscholastic nature shall complement and supplement the instruction program of the school.
RATIONALE School activities of an interscholastic nature shall show evidence of being a part of the school's instruction program, controlled and conducted so as t o be beneficial to the total development of both participating and non- participating students and the morale of the student body. Curriculum planning and development in the area of activities of an interscholastic nature should provide all students with opportunities for student experiences conducive t o the development of civic responsibilities incumbent on membership in a reputable student body and through team effort and participation contribute to the

leadel-ship. charactc~-s.kills anti the physical. social a n d emotional development of the individual student. Activities of an in tel-scholastic nature sllould not he conducted at the expense of intramural psograms 01- the balance of the school's curriculum.

C R I T E R I A 84 THROUGH 00 APPLY TO ALL SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES. (N/A for n o n - p a r t i c i p a t ~ n gs c h o o l s . )

CRITERIA

B

R 84. There is a written policy statement of the system board of

e d u c a t i o n governing i n t e r s c h o l a s t i c activities. N/A for

non-participating schools.

B

R 85. Interscholastic activities of the school are under the

supervision and control of the principal. N/A for non-participating

schools.

BR -86. Scheduling of interscholastic activities is accomplished by the

principal or his designated staff member after careful consideration

of the effect and impact of the activities upon the participants and

the total school program. N/A for non-participating schools.
BR -87. E a c h student who participates in athletic activities of

interscholastic nature is examined by a physician before the regular

seasonal instruction begins and as often thereafter as is deemed

necessary to protect the health and physical welfare of participating

students. [The examining physician must certify that the student is

physically fit for such participation.] N/A for non-participating

schools.
BR -88. The amount of time spent in instruction in the area of school

activities of an interscholastic nature is of such duration as not to

affect detrimentally the student's preparation for and performance

of his or her scholastic endeavors. [Both the amount of physical

energy expended and the amount of time consumed shall be taken

into consideration in determining the length of such instruction.]

N/A for non-participating schools.

BR-89.

All i n d i v i d u a l o r g r o u p practice in activities of an

interscholastic nature is conducted after the end of the six-hour

academic school day, exclusive of recesses and lunch periods. [The

school day must he organized for instruction of students and not for

practice of extra-curricular activities. "Practice" does not refer to

the study and performance of music in an o r g a n i ~ e dclass, such as

chorus, orchestra or band. Bands may use up to 30 instructional

periods annually for marching practice. This practice must not

i n t e r f e r e w i t h a n y o t h e r regular instruction.] N/A for

non-participating schools.

BR-90 SHOULD BE ANSWERED N/A BY G.H.S.A. MEMBERS AND BY ANY SCHOOL WHICH DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES.

B

R 90. The system board of education, by policy statement, assumes

the responsibility for interscholastic activities and imposes as a

minimum the following limitations. N/A for non-participating

schools.

(a) Teams having players in grade seven or below must not play more than one-half the number of regularly scheduled games played by the high school varsity in any given sport. [Tournaments may be played in addition t o one-half the number of regular season games played by the high school varsity .]
(b) Teams on which all players are in grade eight or above may play the same number of games played by the high school varsity in any given sport. [Tournaments may be played in addition to regular season games.]
(c) Games played on nights preceding a school day may not begin prior to the end of the regular school day and must end prior to 7 p.m. Only one such day per week may be utilized by any team for interscholastic games.
(d) Practices held in any sport on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday may not begin prior t o the end of the regular school day and must end prior to 6 p.m.
(e) The school prohibits students from participating in any sport in a combination of games for any teams greater than the game limit set under paragraph (a) for that sport season. No student may engage in more than one football game per week.

N o t e : The State Board of Education recommends that all e l e m e n t a r y schools b e p r o h i b i t e d from participation in interscholastic activities, and that a strong intramural program be provided for all students.

Standard 2 1 Interscholastic Activities

Minimum Affirmative Responses R 7*

*When BR-84 through 89 are answered N/A only one affirmative R is needed.

CURRICULUM Standard 22
A comprehensive school program is available t o all students.
RATIONALE A comprehensive school provides an instructional program which meets the abilities, needs and interests of all students served by the school. A comprehensive program of studies offers in addition to common learning and basic education skills, a variety of choices leading to occupational preparation either at the high school level or post-high school level.
GENERAL CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
BR -91. The school teaches annually a minimum of 37 units of
instruction for credit. [The master schedule verifies that the subjects are being taught.] N/A for grade eight and below.
[The minimum requirements for graduation from a Georgia public high school (grades nine-12) shall be as follows. English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 units Social Studies (including one unit in U.S. history and government as legally required) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 units Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I unit Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I unit Science or Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. I unit *Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I unit *(See BR-2 13 which describes how this requirement may be met other than by unit credit.)
TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSE UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 units Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 units
TOTAL NECESSARY FOR GRADUATION . . . . . . . . . 18 units]
BR -92. The amount and arrangement of space facilities are adequate
for the program in each instructional area. [The building reflected the current thinking relative to space requirements and flexibility when constructed. The amount and arrangement of space facilities are subject to and compatible with recommendations of the Georgia Department of Education.]
BR -93. The necessary special equipment and fixtures for each subject
matter area are available in adequate quantity and quality in each classroom.

BR-

94. A written plan for organized use of community resources is

developed and implemented annually. [Copies of the plan are readily

available. Local guides make reference to the use of community

resources.]
BR -95. The school staff annually participates in a planned program for

in-service development of the professional staff members. [The dates

and times for such meetings are indicated on the school calendar.]

BR-

96. All teachers using ETV use the appropriate schedules and

manuals which accompany the TV course of study. Such manuals

are available t o each such teacher individually or are available in the

media center. N/A if n o teacher uses ETV.
BR -97. Good sportsmanship, fair play and wholesome relationships

are observable in all physical education instruction and athletic

events.

Standard 22 Curriculum

Minimum

Affirmative

Responses

R

Elementary schools 6*

Other schools

7;

*When BR-96 is answered "N/Am elementary schools will answer only five R's and other schools only six R's affirmatively.

MINIMUM PLUMBING FIXTURE REQUIREMENTS
A. Number of drinking fountains. (1) At least one fountain head shall be~providedfor each 75 elementary and each 1 0 0 high school pupils, or fraction thereof in the area t o be served. Fountains shall be exclusive of playground fountains, lunchroom fountains or other special purpose fountains.
B. Minimum number of commodes, lavatories and urinals.

re:$?No of

GIRLS

' Elementary Secondary

sex)

Corns. Lavs. Corns. Lavs.

BOYS

Elementary

Secondary

Corns. Urins. Lavs. Coms. Urins. Lavs.

50

2222

60

2222

80

3232

90

4232

100

4232

110

4242

120

5242

130

5242

140

6242

150

6352

160

6352

170

7352

180

7352

190

8362

200

8362

210

8462

222222 222222
9 i 2 3 2 2 2 2
3322 3322 342222 342332 442332 442332 443332 453332 453332 553332 553442 563442 564442

NOTE:

No single battery of toilets shall serve over 4 2 0 pupils, i.e., 210 boys and 210 girls.
By special interpretation there is a 2 0 percent leeway within which the evaluator may exercise judgment as to whether the school meets the minimum plumbing fixtures requirement.